Page 20 of Ski You Later
“What?”
Turning back to the group, I hold up a finger in the universal gesture ofgive me a second. Turning my knees to face the outside of the booth, Roman puts his arm on the wall above me and leans down.
I furrow my brow as I glare up at him, poking my pointer finger into his chest. “They’re reaching out. This is time for you to make a friend,” I plead.
“I have a friend,” he counters.
“Who?”
“You.”
My blank stare speaks for me because I get the added bonus of watching his lip quirk up. “You need more than that,” I say exasperatedly.
“No, Langley. I really don’t.” His gaze is teasing, the smile countering the storm cloud he had when he walked in here.
The shuffling of the group beside us catches my attention, and I see them all exiting from the other side of the table. Charles must see my expression, yelling at me as he shuffles himself from the seat. “We’re going to dance, you should come!” He smiles at me, lessening his expression as he looks over my shoulder. Then, I lose sight of them all as the group joins the masses.
Turning to the giant grump beside me, I can’t resist another chance to mess with him. “I hope you’re happy, bud.” Poking his chest harshly with every word.
His face fights the urge to increase his smile as his hand whips out to wrap over mine. “Oh, I am.”
With one more glare, I finish off my drink and pluck his from his hand. He gives a protest that I promptly ignore and drown the contents of his rum and coke.
“I’m going to dance; you can come if you like,” I tell him. He doesn’t move out of the way, and I revel in the blush that colours his cheeks as I squeeze past him.
With the drinks flowing through me and a sudden burst of confidence, I happily smile as I make my way onto the dance floor. I don’t even make it ten steps before it feels like I’ve been hit by a truck.
Aurora’s arms wrap tightly around me, and she screams in delight when I laugh and hug her back. “Girl, you scared me half to death! Why do you always do this!” I try to use my stern voice, but I can’t seem to be angry when it comes to her.
“Where have you been! It has been an Isla and Liam sandwich all night!” Aurora puts her finger in her mouth and makes a fake vomit motion.
“I stopped at the table to drop my stuff. Also, I brought Roman, so maybe you guys –.”
“Why the fuck did you bring Roman!” Aurora’s voice somehow yells louder than the music, and I can’t help but cringe. Before I can explain, she decides to continue. “Did he force you to invite him? I bet he wants to see us all having fun before he books another last-minute training session.”
Aurora laughs at her own joke, but I frown up at her. “He did everything in his power not to come, but I forced him. Maybe if his athletes gave him a chance, they would realize he’s actually very nice.” I end my speech with a knowing look and feel satisfied at theskepticism in Aurora’s gaze. “Will you give him a chance,” I plead.
“Nope,” she declares. “I don’t buy it. He’s a raging ass, and I’m going to prove it!” The way Aurora seems to be swaying makes a laugh escape my throat. Wait, is she swaying, or am I?
A fit of giggling quickly takes over me, and I quickly realize I’m too drunk to be having this conversation. Aurora’s laughter quickly joins mine, and she grabs my hand.
The giggles fully take over my body as we both sway on the spot. Aurora’s laughter reaches my ear and I decide the only reasonable thing to do at this point is get a drink and dance. She must have been thinking the same thing, grabbing me at the wrist and yanking me onto the floor.
We join the rest of the team late enough into the night that all the friend groups have merged together. My cousin is nowhere to be seen as I scan our group and I can let myself relax with everyone.
I spot Charles and a guy from the bobsled team becoming well acquainted behind me. Liam and Isla are exactly how Aurora had described, the pair grabbing for each other as if it’s the end of the world. I spot my bestfriend looking in their direction, but I quickly bring her attention back to me.
Songs go by in a blur, some requiring me to sing at the top of my lungs while others I keep strictly to dancing. Charles has ditched his guy, also having noticed Aurora’s situation, and spends his time with her.
Landon and Xander show up at some point, both boys giving me a hug and making my friend’s eyebrows raise. I told Aurora about our afternoon together, but it slipped my mind to tell anyone else.
As Xander spins me around for the millionth time, a parting of the crowd gives me a clear view to the back of the bar.
Roman reclines against the wall, the signature scowl well in place as his eyes stay glued on me. The intensity of his gaze causes me to stumble and Xander immediately pulls me closer to him.
Whether it be the lights or all the drinks flowing through me, I thought I saw genuine anger quickly flash across Roman’s face. Before I can look closer, I’m spun in the other direction and brought back into the circle of my friends.
I try to go back to dancing, but the feeling of Roman’s eyes on me is similar to an itch that I can’treach. At this point, the only thing that will calm me is another drink.
